Wednesday, 11 September 2019

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Hymn Story

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus is a hymn that has soothed the heart of many troubled souls since it came to the attention of the public. It is a beloved hymn of the sick, the stressed, the bereaved and all that need rest from our stress filled life on earth.

This hymn is now found in most evangelical church hymnals. I have heard this song sung in America, Europe and mother Africa.

This hymnn originally known as The Heavenly Vision is a composition of Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863 -1961). She wrote over 500 hymns and poems but this song is by far the most well known of her songs.

Helen Howarth Lemmel was born in 1863, in Wardle, England. She was the daughter of a Methodist minister. She immigrated to the USA when she was 12 and spent most of life there.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus drew its inspiration from a Christian tract, "Focused: A Story and Song" penned by Isabella Lilias Trotter with its lesson on dandelion. Isabella was an English artist and missionary to Algeria.

The words that touched Helen most on reading the tract were, "So, then, turn your eyes upon him, look full into his face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire as strange new dimness."

Immediately after reading this Helen sat down and wrote the words of this hymn. It is said that the words just flowed off her pen effortlessly.

"Oh soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the savior."

Very powerful words that continue to bless us to this day!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Hymn Lyrics

1 O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

2 Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O’er us sin no more hath dominion

For more than conqu’rors we are!

3 His Word shall not fail you, He promised;

Believe Him and all will be well;

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

For more stories and lyrics of famous Christian hymns and songs click here.